Safety system for flaying machine

Abstract

The invention describes a safety system ( 100 ) for a working machine ( 1 ), wherein an operator ( 7 ) is able to interact with the machine ( 1 ), wherein the system ( 100 ) comprises a transceiver unit ( 71 ) associated with the operator ( 7 ), a central processing unit ( 11 ), associated with the working machine ( 1 ), so as to receive signals from the transceiver unit ( 71 ), conductive gloves ( 81 ) comprising electrical conduction means ( 85, 84 ) configured to operate in ordinary functioning (I) or in an alarm condition (II), electrical connection means ( 82 ) configured to connect the transceiver unit ( 71 ) to the conductive gloves ( 81 ), and wherein the central processing unit ( 11 ) is configured to recognize whether the operator ( 7 ) is authorized for use of the machine ( 1 ), and to transmit an alarm signal (Sx 1 ) so as to disable the machine ( 1 ) if the second operative condition (II) occurs.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A safety system ( 100 ) for a working machine ( 1 ) whereby an operator ( 7 ) is able to interact with said machine ( 1 ), and wherein the system ( 100 ) comprises:
 a transceiver unit ( 71 ) associated with said operator ( 7 ) and configured to transmit a presence signal (Tx) representing the presence of said operator ( 7 ) in proximity to said machine ( 1 ); 
 a central processing unit ( 11 ), associated with said working machine ( 1 ), configured to receive said presence signal (Tx); 
 at least one conductive glove ( 81 ), designed to be worn by said operator ( 7 ) in conditions of interaction of said operator ( 7 ) with said machine ( 1 ), comprising electrical conduction means ( 85 ,  84 ) configured to operate in:
 a first operative condition (I) representing an ordinary functioning of said machine ( 1 ), wherein said operator ( 7 ) is electrically isolated from said machine ( 1 ); 
 a second operative condition (II) representing an alarm state of said machine ( 1 ), wherein said operator ( 7 ) is in a condition of electrical conduction with said machine ( 1 ); 
 
 electrical connection means ( 82 ) configured to connect said transceiver unit ( 71 ) to said at least one conductive glove ( 81 ); 
 
       characterized in that said transceiver unit ( 71 ) is configured to operate using radio frequency and 
       wherein said central processing unit ( 11 ) comprises:
 a reception module ( 111 ) configured to receive said presence signal (Tx); 
 a memory module ( 112 ) configured to contain a predefined structure of presence signals (Txi_ 0 ) representing different operators ( 7 ) authorized to operate said machine ( 1 ); 
 a recognition module ( 113 ) configured to compare the current presence signal (Tx) with said predefined structure of presence signals (Txi_ 0 ) comprised in said memory module ( 112 ); 
 an authorization module ( 114 ) configured to enable use of the machine ( 1 ) by said operator ( 7 ) if the current presence signal (Tx) is compatible with the predefined structure of signals Txi_ 0  comprised in said memory module ( 112 ); 
 a first alarm module ( 115 ) configured to transmit an alarm signal (Sx 1 ) to said safety system ( 100 ) so as to disable said machine ( 1 ) if said second operative condition (II) occurs for said operator ( 7 ) authorized by said authorization module. 
 
     
     
       2. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical conduction means ( 84 ) comprises a first electrical conductor circuit ( 84 ) available over the entire structure of said machine ( 1 ) and having a frequency signal (Sf 1 ) passing through it. 
     
     
       3. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said transceiver unit ( 71 ) comprises a first control module ( 711 ) configured to detect the presence, on said conductive gloves ( 81 ), of said frequency signal (Sf 1 ) representing a contact between a blade ( 5 ) and at least one of said conductive gloves ( 81 ). 
     
     
       4. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said first control module ( 711 ) is further configured to block the transmission of said presence signal (Tx) in the event of detection of the presence of said frequency signal (Sf 1 ), so that said processing unit ( 11 ) will not enable the operation of said machine ( 1 ). 
     
     
       5. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical conduction means ( 85 ) comprises a second electrical conductor circuit ( 85 ) connected to an isolated electrical circuit ( 83 ). 
     
     
       6. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said transceiver unit ( 71 ) comprises a second control module ( 712 ) configured to detect a lack of continuity in said second electrical conductor circuit ( 85 ) representing a contact between said blade ( 5 ) and at least one glove of said operator ( 7 ). 
     
     
       7. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said second control module ( 712 ) is further configured to block the transmission of said presence signal (Tx) in the event of detection of said lack of continuity, so that said processing unit ( 11 ) will not enable operation of said machine ( 1 ). 
     
     
       8. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said central processing unit ( 11 ) further comprises an operative module ( 117 ) configured to determine the cause of any incompatibility between said current presence signal (Tx) and said predefined signal structure (Txi_ 0 ) comprised in said memory module ( 112 ). 
     
     
       9. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein said operative module ( 117 ) is configured to:
 count the number (N) of consecutive incompatibilities detected; 
 wait for the arrival of the next signal (Tx), if that number (N) is less than or equal to a predefined number (N 0 ); 
 generate an alarm signal (Sa), if that number (N) is greater than said predefined number (N 0 ). 
 
     
     
       10. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said central processing unit ( 11 ) further comprises a shutdown module ( 118 ), activated by said alarm signal (Sa) and configured to:
 disable operation of said machine ( 1 ) as long as incompatibilities are detected; 
 enable operation of said machine ( 1 ) when subsequent presence signals (Tx) are compatible. 
 
     
     
       11. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said presence signal (TX) comprises a univocal identifier of said operator ( 7 ). 
     
     
       12. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said transceiver unit ( 71 ) is worn by said operator ( 7 ). 
     
     
       13. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said presence signal (Tx) is continuous. 
     
     
       14. The safety system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said transceiver unit ( 71 ) comprises an RFID transponder.